5 Ways to Get Your Wedding Photographer to Love You

TAKE A MOMENT TO BROWSE.    If you reach out to me, please take a few minutes to browse my website for the information you’re looking for. I spent so much time and effort to put together my website, to make it easy to use and to be as transparent as possible. It really discourages me, when I get an inquiry through the contact form on my website asking about pricing, when all my pricing for family photos, and weddings is on my Investment page. I understand, what it was like as a bride, going through tons of websites of photographers and vendors not having their prices on their site and having to email them asking the same question over and over again. I get it. But I also know that everything about me, how to contact me, what I offer and how much I charge is right there. So please browse and skim before sending that email to me.

TRUST ME AND TALK TO ME.    As your wedding or portrait photographer I want you to trust me. Trust me when I make decisions about lighting, about locations and my suggestions on the timeline. If I am not included on when we decide when the best time to take photos is and when the light is the best then the photos may suffer. Not everyone knows that there is a lot that goes into when and where to take which photographs. I understand I cannot be in charge of the entire schedule of the wedding day or when your kids are most happy, but If you communicate on what’s most important to you I will do my best to get the shots you want and still be able to be creative at the same time. I need to feel trusted at the shoot. If I feel like you’re worried, you’re not going to get what you want, or I wont be able to get you Pinterest worthy photos, then I won’t be able to do what you hired me to do, which is capture your love, your family and all the little things that make your life and relationships special. Trust and communication, 2 main things that contribute to a successful relationship between husband and wife and same goes for client and photographer.

DON’T FUSS OVER THE LITTLE THINGS.    Brides put a lot of pressure on the wedding day, expecting it to be perfect. But let me tell you about the reality of a wedding day. You’ll probably forget something, the ceremony will most likely be late, and it’s not going to be perfect. On my wedding day, I forgot my shoes at home. My brother had to drive all the way home to get them. I also bought cute hangers for myself, and my bridesmaids and I forgot mine at home, so the photos of my dress are on a regular ol’ hotel hanger. The most important thing to remember on your wedding day is that, you are marrying the love of your life and no hiccup in the day should shift your attitude. It’s not about all of the fluff and it’s important to remember that on the wedding day. You gotta just let the little mistakes go and prioritize just having a good time and getting married rather than having the perfect party.

TELL YOUR MUA WHEN WE’RE SUPPOSED TO START PHOTOS.    This is huge! Talking to your HMUA about when photos are supposed to begin and when you should be ready can make the day run a lot smoother. Let’s say we’re supposed to start photos at 3:30, telling them you need to be ready at 3pm would be a good idea. If hair and makeup runs late, then it puts a lot of pressure on me to rush through photos, that we wouldn’t have had to rush through if it was done early or on time.

DO A FIRST LOOK. Doing a first look is one of the best decisions you can make on your wedding day. It’s so nice to be able to spend a quiet moment with your future spouse before the ceremony. I don’t believe that it takes away from the bride “walking down the aisle moment”. I’ve seen grooms not cry at the first look, and cry when their bride walks down the aisle. I’ve seen grooms cry at both moments. You can save your veil and create a more bridal look for when you come down the aisle and that will be a look your husband has never seen before. It also gives you a greater amount of portraits and time with your bridal party. You asked all your closest friends to be with you on your wedding day, to support you, wouldn’t it be great for you to actually hang out with them before the ceremony? Do a first look, I know you won’t regret it.